Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (North Michigan Ave - River North) The Drake

[gleung24]

I'm looking to take a trip to Chicago and stay at a downtown hotel (near Magnificent Mile/Grant Park) on June 7. I'm looking to get two rooms (king bed) for my family (me, wife, 2-year old) and also my in-laws (husband and wife). I wanted it within walking distance of the Shedd Aquarium so that's why I was thinking Magnificent Mile/Grant Park area. I'm hoping for at least a 3* hotel and not wanting to spend much more than $100/room if possible. Do you have any tips for bidding or if Hotwire or Priceline is a better bet? Any advice would be helpful.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

To begin, note that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed... would this be ok for you, your wife, and daughter? If not, then HOTWIRE would be your best option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper than HOTWIRE, but hotwire gives you the ability to know the amenities the hotel offers and take a guess as to what you may receive (and therefore a guess as to the location of the hotel).. so which service is 'better' depends upon your goal for this stay: the lowest possible price OR having a guess as to which property and where in the zone you'll end up.

Lastly, if you do decide to go with PRICELINE, if you should end up in the northern part of the NMA-River North zone you'll be about 2 miles for Shedd Aquarium, would this still be considered 'close' enough?

Let us know the info above and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[gleung24]

Having only 1 bed is preferred since our daughter is very young and would just share the bed. I like how Hotwire tells you the amenities so you can guess which hotel it is but it all depends on price also. Do the prices change often on Hotwire when looking for hotels in that area? The northern part of NMA-River North would still be close enough as long as its not much more than 2 miles. I was looking at some of them and most seem to be around 1.5 miles which is fine. My thoughts were to try and start low with Priceline and hope for the best. If the bids get too high then I could try Hotwire. Thanks again for the advice. Do you know if there are any big events going on around that time?

[thereuare]

My thoughts were to try and start low with PRICELINE and hope for the best. If the bids get too high then I could try HOTWIRE.

How high do you want to bid on PRICELINE before looking towards HOTWIRE?

Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is the goal the least expensive 3* or better for this trip?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[gleung24]

I think for us the goal would be the least expensive 3* or higher hotel. I'm more focused on getting a good price than staying at a 4* hotel. I think if the bids get up to $125 or so I would start looking at Hotwire. If the price is getting up that high, then I may as well know the amenities that are included.

[thereuare]

When bidding 3* in Chicago you have FOUR re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3* Loop...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* NMA-River North...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Loop and NMA...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[AaronJB]

A couple of notes:

The Shedd can be quite busy in the Summer - I'd highly recommend having that be the first major stop of the day, because (personally), I just think that the Shedd is much more enjoyable when it's not as jammed.

There are busses that head from the Michigan Ave area to the museums, but you could also take the Red Line subway most of the way, then walk the rest of the way along the lake.

If you are staying for a night and will be out most of the day and night and are not going to make significant use of the hotel's amenities, then I'd recommend going for lowest price via PRICELINE. There are a number of nice 3*'s in the River North-NMA zone, although I will note that the Indigo is a potential 3* and at the North tip of the zone. One can get a Red Line stop a couple of blocks away and a bus as well, but just wanted to note that that would be a possibility.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[gleung24]

Thanks for all the help. We plan on going to the aquarium right when it opens so hopefully it isn't packed. Does the Indigo usually accept a lot of bids? Do you know what hotels in that area are known for accepting the most bids?

[AaronJB]

There have been less reports to the board in this zone at the 3* level in recent months, but the Indigo has accepted a fair amount of bids over time. There's really no way to know or give odds though - a hotel could go for months without being reported to the board as a win, then suddenly appear as a win.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Do you know what hotels in that area are known for accepting the most bids?

Your stay is about 3 weeks away so you're certainly not too early... have you tried the bidding above?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[gleung24]

Can you help me identify this hotel on Hotwire?

June 7, 2 Rooms, 4 Guests

Downtown Chicago - Millennium Park - Grant Park

4 Star

$153

Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, pool, restaurants, business center, high speed internet access

[AaronJB]

If you scroll over "see all" next to the amenities, do you see additional amenities? If so, please list the additional amenities here. Thanks.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[gleung24]

These are the amenities:

Indoor pool(s)

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

[thereuare]

My best guess for this 4* rated Chicago hotel would be the Hilton Hotel and Towers.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[gleung24]

Can you help ID 2 hotels in Chicago?

3* Magnificent Mile Area - River North

2 rooms/4 guests

6/7/12

$109

Amenities:

Fitness Center

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

In-room accessibility

Roll-in shower

80% recommendation

3 1/2* Magnificent Mile Area - River North

2 rooms/4 guests

6/7/12

$132

Amenities:

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

90% recommendation

Thanks.

[AaronJB]

I'm not seeing either listing when searching for this date this afternoon - are you still seeing both properties?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[gleung24]

Those listings are no longer there. There is another one though.

3* Magnificent Mile Area - River North

$138

Amenities:

Fitness Center

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Complimentary Breakfast

Free Internet

Accessible path of travel

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

No recommendation rating and it says 2 out of 5 rating from TripAdvisor. A little worried about this. Thanks for the help.

[gleung24]

I'm not sure if it's just my search or not but it seems like the options are very limited when I search tonight.

[gleung24]

Bid $118 yesterday and was rejected for 3* in NMA-Loop. Bid $85 tonight and was accepted by the Drake.

Do you know of any public transportation that would take us from the hotel to somewhere close to the Shedd Aquarium?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received a nice deal for this trip and are happy with the purchase.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board... i'll let AaronJB comment on your transportation options to the aquarium as he knows this area best.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.

[AaronJB]

I'm not sure if it's just my search or not but it seems like the options are very limited when I search tonight.

I believe there was an issue with HOTWIRE last night where only limited options were showing - likely some sort of technical issue. However, I think in a way it worked out to your advantage, as you ended up with a deal significantly better than the HOTWIRE options that were showing - the Drake (which is really a classic Chicago hotel in a very nice location) for $85 in the Summer is an absolutely fantastic deal.

You have three options to get to the Aquarium:

1. The 146 bus. This can be caught a few blocks South of the hotel, as this bus makes no stops between Belmont in the Lincoln Park neighborhood to the North of the city and Delaware/Michigan, which is a couple of blocks South of your hotel. So, you would have to catch it at Delaware/Michigan or further South on Michigan. http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=286

2. The Red Line L. The nearest station is Chicago/State. I like taking this to Harrison, then walking North a block to Congress, and taking Congress going East towards the Lake. You'll quickly get to Buckingham Fountain, then Lake Shore Drive. Cross over LSD to the Lakefront, then walk the remaining distance to the Museum Campus (not terribly far, and quite pretty.) Some walking, but not terribly much and the majority of it is a pleasant stroll along the lake.

3. Walk. This is a long walk, but you definitely see a lot and it's a straight walk on Michigan Ave. South all the way to Congress, then following the same steps as listed in #2. It's a great walk, but if you are going to be in the city for one day, I'd recommend #1 or #2.

[gleung24]

Are there any parking lots by The Drake that would be cheaper than what they offer? It says they offer self parking for $35 at the 900 N. Michigan Avenue Parking Garage or valet parking for $55. Thanks again for all the help.

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, parking in the city is just a difficult and expensive situation. Navy Pier is $20-25 or so, but would be a moderate trek to your hotel. Otherwise, local lots such as the one at 900 N Michigan are going to be $28-35 + city tax.